At least 26 dead as storms, monsoon batter parts of Philippines

National

THE TOLL from days of rain and severe weather climbed to 26 as landslides, drowning, electrocution and other incidents were reported across the country, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said.

The fatalities were recorded amid the combined effects of tropical cyclones Luis and Maymay and the enhanced southwest monsoon, with 16 of the deaths caused by landslides in Baguio City, La Trinidad and Atok in Benguet.

Seven others died in Rizal from incidents involving rockslides, drowning, electrocution and a fallen tree in Rodriguez, Binangonan and Antipolo City.

Two men died of electrocution and drowning in La Union and Pangasinan, respectively, while a police officer drowned in Cadiz City, Negros Occidental.

In Batangas, a 23-year-old Bantay Dagat member died of electrocution while assisting Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) personnel in pulling a boat toward the shoreline in Barangay Sawang, Lobo, Monday afternoon. The victim, identified by the alias Chris, was declared dead on arrival at the Lobo Municipal Hospital.

PNP spokesman Col. Allen Rae Co said the police figures remained subject to validation by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) and other government agencies.

As of Tuesday, Aug. 11, about 2.27 million people nationwide had been affected by the combined effects of Luis, Maymay and the southwest monsoon, according to the NDRRMC. Of the total, 94,997 people were temporarily staying in 919 evacuation centers.

The government has distributed more than P73.5 million worth of food and non-food assistance, while 3,187 police officers have been deployed to support relief operations. The PCG also assisted 419 stranded passengers at 11 seaports in Western Visayas, Southern Tagalog and Central Visayas.

The Department of Education extended its condolences to the families of five learners killed in the landslide in Barangay Guisad Surong, Baguio City, which left 10 people dead and three others injured.(MyTVCebu)